# How to Write a Simple Business Plan (One-Page Version)

Write a simple one-page business plan: customer, offer, pricing, marketing, operations, costs and goals, and when you need a longer plan.

Source page: https://cheapcheapwebsites.com/small-business-guides/start/write-a-simple-business-plan/
Updated: October 6, 2026

A simple plan answers seven questions on one page: who your customer is, what you sell, why they choose you, how they find you, how you deliver, what it costs and earns, and your first-year goals. The SBA describes both traditional and lean plans; most small service businesses start with a lean one.

## The one-page plan

| Section | Answer in one or two lines |
| Customer | Who buys and where they are |
| Offer | Services or products and price range |
| Why you | Your advantage over competitors |
| Marketing | How customers will find you (website, Google, referrals, events) |
| Operations | Where and how you deliver, tools, suppliers, hours |
| Money | Startup costs, monthly costs, break-even |
| Goals | First 90 days and first year, with numbers |

## Executive summary in three sentences

- What the business does and for whom.
- What makes it different.
- What you need and your first-year target.

## When you need more

- A lender, investor or partner asks for a traditional plan.
- You are buying an existing business or signing a long lease.
- You have several locations, products or partners.

## Worked example

Marco writes a one-page plan for a food truck. Offer: Cuban sandwiches and coffee. Customer: office workers at lunch and brewery patrons at night. Competitors: two trucks with similar menus, neither serving coffee. Marketing: weekly schedule on the website and Google, partnerships with three breweries. Operations: commissary on the east side, two employees. Costs: truck, equipment, permits, insurance, inventory, commissary rent. Pricing: average ticket based on menu costs. Goals: serve 150 customers a week by month three and book four catering events a month by month six. He rereads it monthly and updates numbers as reality arrives.

## Common mistakes

- Writing a long plan you never reread
- Optimistic sales without evidence
- Leaving out monthly costs
- No measurable goals

## Review rhythm

Reread the plan monthly for the first year and update numbers with real results.

## Common questions

### How long should a small business plan be?

One page is enough to start. Traditional plans can run many pages and are usually written for lenders or investors.

### Do I need a business plan to register?

Usually no. Registration and tax IDs do not require a plan, but the plan helps you make the decisions those forms ask about.

### Should I include financial projections?

A simple monthly projection of revenue and costs helps you decide; lenders may ask for more detail.

### Can I use a template?

Yes, templates such as the SBA's can help, but keep the plan short enough that you'll use it.

### Should I share my plan?

Share it with advisors or partners you trust; it helps them give useful feedback.

## Sources

- SBA: Write your business plan: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/write-your-business-plan
- SBA: Market research and competitive analysis: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/market-research-competitive-analysis

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